Research “A New Life for Industrial Cities”
This comprehensive study explores the contemporary realities of Russia’s industrial cities - places whose economies, spatial development and identities have historically been shaped by industrial production. Agency for strategic development "CENTER" will examine around 600 cities to identify how they are evolving amid reindustrialisation, develop a typology and propose relevant transformation pathways.
The study aims to identify key trends shaping the development of industrial cities in the 21st century.
Objectives:
- define the study sample and classify industrial cities into groups;
- analyse the dynamics of their economic development;
- examine the characteristics of their spatial structure;
- identify the factors and priorities shaping their socio-cultural development;
- explore how locally operating companies view the future development of these cities;
- conduct a sociological study of perceptions of the industrial city;
- develop a profile of the contemporary industrial worker and examine residents’ migration intentions;
- identify key trends through an analysis of selected case-study cities;
- develop a typology and analyse best practices;
- prepare recommendations for retaining human capital and improving the urban environment.
The study will cover around 600 industrial cities across Russia with populations of up to 250,000. These cities are not regional capitals and are characterised by significant industrial output and a high proportion of industrial employment. They account for 52.3% of all cities in the country, are home to 27.6% of Russia’s urban population and generate 41.8% of the country’s total volume of goods shipped, works performed and services rendered.
Olga GritsanHead of the Analytical Department, Agency for strategic development "CENTER"
Russia experienced a prolonged period of deindustrialisation that began in the 1990s and continued for 20 years. It was accompanied by the declining importance of the industrial sector and the deterioration of industrial cities. Today, a new trend is clearly emerging - reindustrialisation, with industry being revived on a new, high-tech basis. This process is strategically important for safeguarding economic sovereignty and national security. The successful development of industrial cities is essential to the success of reindustrialisation as a whole. We are familiar with the case of the ‘shrinking’ city of Vorkuta and with the resurgence of Vyksa, but we do not know how other cities are developing.
The study will result in a typology of Russia’s contemporary industrial cities, providing a basis for identifying the key factors and relevant development pathways for each type. The team will prepare recommendations for retaining and developing human capital, improving the urban environment and selecting appropriate socio-economic priorities that reflect the distinctive characteristics of different groups of cities.
Status of accomplishment:
In progress
